Minister for the Arts Senator George Brandis QC has recently announced that 14 Indigenous arts, culture and languages activities have received funding through the Australian Government’s Indigenous culture, languages and visual arts programs.
Senator Brandis explained that the 2013-14 strategic projects funding of more than $500,000 will be provided through the Indigenous Culture Support (ICS), Indigenous Languages Support (ILS) and Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) programs, Senator Brandis added that The Australian Government recognises that initiatives such as these are an investment in the rich cultural heritage of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples—preserving, revitalising and strengthening it for future generations.
“Whether developing professional skills in the drive to achieve excellence, working with leading jewellers, building international markets or recording digital biographies in traditional languages, each of these activities will contribute to sustaining culturally vibrant Indigenous communities and will further add to the richness of Australia’s world-class arts and cultural sector.” Senator Brandis said.

Indigenous Culture Support program

Stalker Stilt Theatre, WA – $20,000
Stalker Stilt Theatre will produce and then premiere Cut the Sky – who will be there to sing the rain song when the sky speaks?

FORM, WA – $20,000
Form will facilitate cultural activities for Banyjima, Innawonga and Nyiyaparli peoples by directly engaging young people in the creation of an online mapping site.

Community Arts Network, WA (CANWA) – $78,000
Community Arts Network, WA will co-ordinate a Noongar Hip-Hop program to develop the dance, performance and life skills for young Noongar people in the wheat belt region of WA.

Kura Yerlo Council Inc., SA – $66,000
Kura Yerlo Council will develop the Perentie Dreaming Track (Ngintaka Tjina Tjukurpa) that will digitally record Anangu Pitjantjatjara cultural data under the direction of Traditional Owners, to ensure cultural protocols are maintained.

Indigenous Languages Support program

Murdi Paaki, NSW – $60,000
Murdi Paaki will engage a group of language professionals to further develop languages in this region.
Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation, NSW – $6,000
The Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation will develop language resources for use in rehabilitation programs for Aboriginal clients.

Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program

Burrunju Aboriginal Corporation, ACT – $20,000
Burrunju will scope options to help expand local and international art markets for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists based in Canberra and the region.

UMI Arts Ltd, Qld – $20,000
Umi Arts will create opportunities for Indigenous artists to develop professional skills and experience thorough their attendance at the Freshwater Saltwater: Connection to Country exhibition in Brisbane, the UMI Arts Artist booth at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair and the UMI Arts Artist booth at the Darwin Art Fair.

FORM, WA – $20,000
The Spinifex Hill Artists Design Program will support the mentoring of Aboriginal artists by leading contemporary jewellery designers.

Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists), WA – $18,000
Martumili Artists will develop digital biographies for 15 artists, with priority given to elderly artists. Digital biographies enable the use of language from the region, thereby enhancing the artists’ capacity to describe the inspiration for their work.

Mungart Boodja, WA – $5,000
Mungart Boodja will engage a Noongar mentor artist to work with emerging artists to extend the Ravensthorpe Memorial in Western Australia that commemorates Australia’s fallen and returned service men and women.

Orana Arts, NSW – $30,000
Orana Arts will present workshops for young Aboriginal people aged 15 to 30 years to transform artwork from paper and wood to create 3D digital works.

Ninuku Arts Indigenous Corporation, SA – $10,000
Ninuku will provide professional development opportunities for artists based in and around the communities of Kalka and Pipalyatjara in South Australia, with a focus on printmaking techniques.

Indigenous Arts Centre Alliance Inc. (IACAI), Qld – $153,711
The Alliance will deliver training, mentoring and domestic and international market development for Indigenous artists and art centres in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait Islands.